In: Chemistry
If you mix equal concentrations of reactants and products, which of the following reaction proceed to the right and which proceed to the left?
a. H2CO3(aq) + HSO4− (aq) ⇌ H2SO4(aq) + HCO3− (aq)
b. HF(aq) + Cl− (aq) ⇌ HCl(aq) + F− (aq)
c. HF(aq) + NH3(aq) ⇌ NH4 + (aq) + F− (aq)
d. HSO4− (aq) + CN− (aq) ⇌ HCN(aq) + SO42−(aq)
e. [Al(H2O)6] 3+(aq) + OH− (aq) ⇌ [Al(H2O)6(OH)]2+ (aq) + H2O(l)
The question can be answered on the basis of the relative strengths of acids and bases. It must be noted that a strong acid reacts to form a weak acid. The same thing holds true for bases: a strong base proceeds to form a weak base.
a) H2CO3 (aq) + HSO4- (aq) <=====> HCO3- (aq) + H2SO4 (aq)
H2SO4 is a much stronger acid than H2CO3; hence, the reverse reaction is favored, i.e, the reverse reaction proceeds to form more H2CO3.
b) HF (aq) + Cl- (aq) <======> F- (aq) + HCl (aq)
HCl is a much stronger acid than HF; hence, the reverse reaction is favored and more HF is produced.
c) HF (aq) + NH3 (aq) <=====> F- (aq) + NH4+ (aq)
HF is a stronger acid than NH4+; hence, the reaction proceeds in the forward direction to produce more NH4+.
d) HSO4- (aq) + CN- (aq) <=====> SO42- (aq) + HCN (aq)
HSO4- is a much stronger acid than HCN; hence, the reaction proceeds to the right to give HCN.